The Linemakers

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Tuesday night’s college basketball card offers another doozy in the Big Ten, as No. 10 Ohio State visits No. 3 Michigan. The Wolverines are listed as early 7.5-point favorites at both William Hill and the Wynn.

Michigan (20-2 SU, 12-7-1 ATS) is coming off an 81-73 loss Saturday night at Indiana. But the Maize and Blue relish the role as single-digit favorites, as they’re 4-0 against the spread in those situations this season. And they’ll have revenge on their minds tonight, as Ohio State (17-4 SU, 11-7-1 ATS) won the first meeting of the season on Jan. 13, 56-53.

The Wolverines boast the No.3 offense in the nation in terms of field goal percentage – their one bad game came at Columbus, where the Buckeyes forced them into 38-percent shooting and 13 turnovers – as well as perhaps the finest backcourt in college hoops with Trey Burke, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Nik Stauskas.

Ohio State, meanwhile, needs someone to step up and give some support to Deshaun Thomas and Lenzelle Smith Jr., the only two Buckeyes averaging double-figure scoring.

This looks like a good spot for Michigan, but we anticipated the spread being a tad lighter than the early 7.5 that's posted.

The total (about 133) may present an even better opportunity, as both teams have been trending big-time to the under. Ohio State has played six straight unders, and nine of its last 10 games have stayed under the total. Three of Michigan’s last four games – and five of its last seven – have stayed under.

Additionally, there were just 109 points scored in last month’s game between these teams, and three of their last four meetings have stayed under.